Government Information

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/intel/RL34421.pdf

Reconnaissance satellites, first deployed in the 1960s for spying on potential adversary countries, were later used by civilian agencies to assist with mapping, disaster relief, and environmental tasks. Transfer of civilian use of satellites to the Department of Homeland Security raises issues of privacy and civil liberties. This report discusses legal issues surrounding the use of reconnaissance satellites for homeland security functions. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RL34406.pdf

Describes Air Force plans for developing a new long-range bomber by 2018, the current bomber fleet, and policy issues relating to capability and affordability that Congress must consider. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ReportsTrustFunds/downloads/tr2008.pdf

Full title is 2008 Annual Report of the Boards of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds. Reports that the hospital insurance portion of Medicare is not adequately financed and that assets are expected to decline to $96 billion by 2017. Warns that federal general revenues are becoming a substantial share of total financing for Medicare. From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/TR08/

Full title is the 2008 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds, popularly known as the annual report on the status of social security. Shows slight improvement for projected long-term financial status of the social security program, primarily due to methodological changes in projecting certain aspects of immigration. As in the previous report, tax revenues will fall below program costs in 2017 and trust funds will be exhausted in 2041. From the Social Security Administration.